Pembrey Training Dome

The RAF number one Gunnery Dome is the only Dome Trainer to survive in Wales and only one of five surviving in the U.K.

As it stands today, the Pembrey Dome is in a near complete as one could hope. The main fabric of the dome is surviving, including some of its internal divisions. This alone can help to inform us how it was constructed and the type of materials that were used. In the archives there are plans indicating the method of construction.

Analysis of the plans and the dome would show any variations during the build, as we now know, the plans for dome trainers evolved during the early part of the war as technology was rapidly advancing.

The Pembrey Dome, a very early simulator, may hold evidence of that advancement during a crucial time in history.

It would also be part of the investigation into the dome, to identify any modifications during its working life – updates as technology advanced?

We want to understand why it was covered in the finish it was covered in, was it camouflaged? There are some parts of the internal fixtures surviving today that will form part of our understanding on how it worked.

It is vital we undertake this project to find out if there is serious deterioration and whether we are likely to lose this over the next few years.

The airfield was first construction of the airfield for RAF Flying Training Command in 1937. In September 1939, the RAF's No. 2 Air Armament School was the first unit to be stationed at the airfield.

The Airfield opened in March 1939. By May 1940, the three tarmac runways were completed and the airfield transferred initially to 11 Group RAF Fighter Command and then to the newly formed 10 Group RAF Fighter Command

During the Second World War it was deemed to be ‘a significant airfield’ due to its close proximity to major ports. Gunnery emplacements relating to Pembrey Airfield and the Command Stop Line ran from the Bristol Channel to Cardigan Bay.

The Pembrey Gunnery Dome was built in 1937 and is sited within the boundaries of the Pembrey World War 2 Airfield in Carmarthenshire. It was active from June 1941 to June 1945 and during that time, there were 114 courses run and in excess of 3000 air gunners trained.

The Pembrey Dome is now listed as grade 2* listed building and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. .

When the dome was initially built it was sited away from many buildings within the airfield. Why this was can only be speculated.

The dome would have been quite noisy and needed a ventilation system.

The dome is very distinctive in its shape and is such a lovely shape although that is not why it was built in such a shape, it was built for function. Many locals know of it but not of its significance.

Sound played an important role in the mimicking of air craft passing over and this was to provide realistic experiences for the trainee gunners.

Today the Dome is set in lush green fields with many animals wondering in and around, giving a serene and calming picture that so differs from its early life.

The Pembrey Gunnery Dome is recognised by many in the locality but few are aware of its significance and the major role it played during the war.

It is not easy to understand its function just by looking at it. As the only surviving dome in Wales, the Pembrey Dome is of national importance.

Although the time of WW2 is a difficult time for some people, the dome and the history of the area would play an important role in the memorialisation of the airfield and the impact of the Second World War had on the locality.